Leander Perez

Leander Perez (16 July 1981-19 March 1969) was the Democratic political boss of Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes in Louisiana during the mid-20th century.

Biography
Leander Perez was born in Dalcour, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana in 1981, and he went to school in New Orleans. In 1919, he became judge of the 29th Judicial District, and he became a district attorney in 1924, serving until 1960. During his judgeship, he strictly enforced segregation laws, and he became known for his corruption; he sometimes blatantly falsified voting records, intimidated voters, prevented most African-Americans from voting, and diverted millions of dollars from the government in illegal land deals. In 1928, he allied with Huey Long during his successful gubernatorial campaign; in 1948, he headed Strom Thurmond's presidential campaign in Louisiana. He later became rivals with congressman Thomas Hale Boggs, accusing him of being a communist. In 1962, he supported the Republican Dave Treen's unsuccessful first run for the US House of Representatives. In 1964, he supported John McKeithen's successful gubernatorial bid. Perez was excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 1962 for his refusal to support racial equality, and he went on to support Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential bid and for George Wallace in 1968, and he died in 1969.